How do you know the people behind you aren't distracted by the glow of your smart phone screen? It reflects off of eyeglasses and other shiny objects, including jewelry in a darkened theater.
I attended a live performance when an actor suddenly stopped the show, waiting silently and patiently until the self-absorbed Texterrific audience member in the third row finally looked up. The actor said, "Thank you," and continued his lines.
At a concert, paid $200 for a pair of tickets, with unfortunate seats behind three women taking photos and texting on facebook and twitter throughout the first set. I told them, "I understand you are addicts, but we did not pay $200 for the pleasure of viewing your smart phone screens." Boy howdy, did I get dirty looks. Two of the women put their phones away. The third was so insanely addicted to social media, she couldn't stop. It is an illness.
1. I don't have a smart phone. The 'screen' on my phone is about one inch wide and long.
2. I have a cell phone, but I have yet to text with it.
Ergo... maybe my lack of equipment, lack of being in a movie theater in the past few years, and unwillingness to text disqualify my opinion about this incident.
Next time you go to the theater, if this 'texting' stuff happens, mention to the texters that your Father is an retired cop who carries a gun, and that he will be in to take his seat after he gets through at the concession stand.